Lithospermum canescens (Hoary Puccoon)

Lithospermum canescens (Hoary Puccoon) on 5-5-25, #1041-23.

Hoary Puccoon

Lithospermum canescens

lith-oh-SPER-mum  can-ESS-kens

Synonyms of Lithospermum canescens (7) (Updated on 12-13-25 from Plants of the World Online): Anchusa canescens (Michx.) Muhl. (1813), Batschia canescens Michx. (1803), Batschia conspicua R.Br. (1823), Batschia sericea Roem. & Schult. (1819), Lithospermum canescens f. pallidum E.J.Palmer & Steyerm. (1955), Lithospermum conspicuum Spreng.(1824), Lithospermum sericeum Lehm. (1818)

Lithospermum canescens (Michx.) Lehm. is the accepted scientific name for this species. It was named as such by Johann Georg Christian Lehmann in Plantae e Familiae Asperifolianum Nuciferae in 1818. It was first named and described as Batschia canescens by André Michaux in Flora Boreali-Americana in 1803.

The genus, Lithospermum L., was named as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-13-25 when this page was added, Plants of the World Online lists 84 species in the Lithospermum genus. It is a member of the plant family Boraginaceae with 154 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

Distribution map of Lithospermum canescens from Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/. Retrieved on May 15, 2025.

The above distribution map for Lithospermum canescens is from Plants of the World Online. The map on the USDA Plants Database is similar. Areas in green are where the species is native.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. I post all my observations on iNaturalist.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

Lithospermum canescens (Hoary Puccoon) on 5-5-25, #1041-24.

I was invited to visit a private well-maintained native prairie not far from home on 5-5-25. It was quite amazing! I ran across 11 species I hadn’t seen before including this Lithospermum canescens.

I will come back later and write descriptions, but here is a little information to hold you over…

This half-wilted plant is in the plant family Boraginaceae and goes by the name of Hoary Puccoon due to its hairy leaves. The plants are referred to as distylous because they have two flower forms (on the same plant). The genus name means “rock seed” because of its shiny, white, rock hard seeds. Formerly named Batschia canescens by André Michaux in Flora Boreali-Americana in 1803.

Apparently, the taproot produced a reddish-purple juice that Native American children would chew on it to make their gum red. Roots were used to treat asthma, lung complaints, and as a sedative. The white seeds were also used as ceremonial beads.

The links at the bottom of the page provide a wealth of information written by people more knowledgeable than me.

Hopefully, I can go back to the prairie soon to take more photos…

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and they have provided much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

 
FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
iNATURALIST
U.S. FOREST SERVICE
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI WEED ID GUIDE
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
DAVE’S GARDEN
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
IOWA PLANTS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
LAKE FOREST COLLEGE
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
SEINet
STEEMIT
U.S. WILDFLOWERS

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂